Our relationship with China

School children dance with Pakistani and Chinese flags in front of their leaders during the inauguration ceremony of the Pakistan China Friendship Center in Islamabad. PHOTO: REUTERS

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s South Asian trip should come as a wake-up call to Pakistan, which has long considered China its closest ally. Yes, Wen was effusive in his praise during the Pakistan leg of the trip and signed $20 billion worth of business deals. But the visit was merely a re-enactment — at a much smaller scale — of Wen’s visit to India, where the two historical rivals agreed to increase bilateral trade to $100 billion. Alliances in South Asia are shifting and Pakistan has to ensure it is not left in the dust.

Despite the rhetoric surrounding the relationship, the China-Pakistan alliance, like all such alliances, is based on a mutual convergence of interest; in this case a distrust of India. With China and India competing for supremacy in the region, that rivalry is likely to ignite in the distant future. In the near future, though, China seems to have settled on wooing India for its own economic benefit rather than prolonging hostilities. This is likely to make Pakistan less valuable in the short-term. Not only will China not have as great a need to prop up Pakistan, it may also appease India by distancing itself slightly from Pakistan. As many observed, China was slow in reacting to Pakistan’s calls for flood relief aid. Given the impermanence of all international alliances, we should have been seeking alternative friendships anyway. Now we should have the impetus to do that sooner rather than later.

It is true that China has invested a lot of money in Pakistan and given more than its fair share of development assistance and technological knowhow, but there have been economic downsides too. The import of Chinese manufacturing goods, which are cheaper than local ones, have had an adverse impact on local businesses. We also have a significant trade deficit with China as we need their goods far more than they need ours. China has been the dominant partner from the start and, without abandoning the alliance altogether, we need more equitable friendships. Ultimately, as China gets closer to India, that decision may not even be ours to make. Before the tides of history overtake us, we should act quickly and build up regional alliances with India, Bangladesh and Nepal.

Reader Comments (50)

“Before the tides of history overtake us, we should act quickly and build up regional alliances with India, Bangladesh and Nepal.”
Don’t leave out other South Asian powers and Burma.
The advice is timely because, in all probability, next war is going to be between China and North Korea on one side and the world on the other!Recommend

China is our best friend. Lets not belittle that frienship. If our trade has been in China’s favour, the trend is same throughout the world. Another factor is our inability to focus on our exports. We can only think of rice and mangoes when it comes to export!!!

Have friendship with whoever you like, lets not forget greatest friend of all time. No two countries in the world can claim better ties than China and Pakistan. Despite our incompetent rulers, China never forsake us. Recommend

Iran tried to have good relationship with India. India backstabed Iran by voting against Iran. Iran also tried to be friends with Russia. Russia has back tracked from its arms deal with Iran. China has never disappointed us. Recommend

Deals with China are for Wind power, solar power and reconstruction of flood affected areas. China’s investments can be seen on the ground. While US aid is given to leaders and they spend it on god knows what.Recommend

China certainly has lot to gain by moving closer to India. Economically China will be losing a lot if it doesn’t do so and it clearly recognises this. For the moment China is appeasing Pak just to counter India. But when it finds that Pak hardly matters for India, it will slowly move away. Pak has a lot to gain by increasing its trade with India than with China for many reasons. It may ultimately realise this may be 15 – 20 years down the line .. but what it would have lost by then is precious time that could have made its economic development faster. But for all this to happen it has to start ernestly by winning over its neighbour’s trust.Recommend

For the love of God, learn the difference between “investment” and “bilateral trade”. One is an apple, the other an orange. You CANNOT compare the two. You claim that somehow $20-30B worth of Chinese investment in Pakistan is a gesture at a “smaller scale” as compared to agreeing to raise bilateral trade to $100B with India. This is completely WRONG. China is investing almost $30B of its own funds to further the development of Pakistan on the one hand, and on the other, is running trade surpluses with India to the tune of dozens of billions of dollars. Indians are the losers if the bilateral trade between China and India increases, not only because it will decimate local Indian industry, but also because it will cause the GoI to run substantial deficits since the balance of trade will be tilted in China’s favour. Pakistan is nothing but a winner both economically and strategically (i.e. We get $30B whereas India pays China dozens of billions).

PLEASE learn a thing or two about economics before jumping to conclusions and painting the picture of a massively important visit such as this with the brush of ignorance. I would request you to kindly correct the factual error in your editorial viz the incorrect comparison of two completely different and incompatible economic variables.

If anything, contrasting Premier Wen’s visit to India with his visit to Pakistan, it has become completely clear to all concerned that China conceded absolutely nothing to India – no conclusive changes on the Kashmiri visa issues, no positive movement on border disputes – really nothing at all other than agreeing to an increase in bilateral trade which is in China’s clear interest. In Pakistan, Premier Wen and his delegation are discussing multiple nuclear reactors, investing in almost every sector of the Pakistani economy, setting up a $300+ Million electronics manufacturing facility, furthering discussion on submarine purchases with the Pakistan Navy, agreeing to an annual Pak-China summit, announcing hundreds of millions in aid for the flood affectees, agreeing to rebuild and upgrade the KKH and investing in the road network across the country… there is just NO COMPARISON. Recommend

Good to see the editorial that hits the nail on the head. Its better for Pakistan to rein in the terrorism factory (the only export it excels in ) and behave like a civilized country. Concentrate on building up the economy and trade with its neighbours.

Or else soon Pak will be a footnote in history. And no one would shed a tear.Recommend

with due respect i would like to add, that its not only the matter of india or the inclination that china has depicted. china being a growing economy is heading towards the status of super Power in the globe and the quest for achiveing the particular status is PEACE FULL.
china belives in peace full rise rather confescations and invading others, like the imperialistic powers did in last few decades.

now, for the peace full rise china has to formulate a foriegn policy that is more trade orientated and its is only possible if (china) holds cordial relations with contiguous and prominent countries of the world.

pakistan being the blessed one contains all weather relationship with china but still lacks in cashing such relation, due to the internally growing issues. untill and unless the internal issues of pakistan are seriously dealt it would be difficult for the pakistan to come on the fore-front in the era of growing economic ties.

basically the only concept of war against terrorism prevails and subjugate all other pivot issues that are important in the development of pakistan, this strategy of war against terrorism has defamed pakistan,because of over exagugration, and infact the neighbouring countries hesitate to have biletral relatios with pakistan.

rather poking our nose in other’s affairs pakistan should come up with more economic accentuated foriegn as well as internal policy, our policies should be captivative in such a way that it exposes more stable Pakistan and a vital platform to the world for business and trade, having in consideration that Pakistan contains a very crucial geo-political location, healthy climate and abundance of human resource, so why not cash the situation.

internal problems also prevaile in india which are more serious in nature but its their tact of containing them and providing the world with a very healthy and prospering aspect to attract others for having relations with them on equal rights. so in the same context pakistan can also do the same to compete and once again become a shining starRecommend

Well. the problem is that China is just too big a country. Pakistan can never reverse the trade deficit and she hardly has any friends other than China. US, of course, wants to treat Pakistan like a satellite state. If only, she stops spending more on defense and starts concentrating on developing infrastructure, health and education, then a time will come where she can be self-reliant.Recommend

Borders can not change Keep on discussing irritants along with trade China is having lots of options open along with Pak but Pak has no option except china Open your door for every trade partner Any body who bring trade not aid is a friend [as china is doing] Change your importance from geographical to trading partner Recommend

One problem sir. If we make friendship with India, then there will be reduction in our military expenditure and political agendas. Then naturally, there will be reduction in the commissions on the reduced purchase of military hardware and also politicians loose their agenda. Is it good for our rulers? Let people decide.

Dear Editor, Chinese trade with India is one sided as with Pakistan. Indians has have nothing to offer China except raw material and call centre Mazdors. India staring at a possible deficit of $24 billion with china this year only.

And your so called perception of slow Chinese response to flood not related to reality, Chinese Red Cross helicopters arrived at Chaklala airbase after 48 hours much earlier than your dearest President Zardari who was sitting in Central London at that time.

I can’t understanding “Changing ally” you have mentioned. Have you seen any elasticity in Indo-China border disputes or Akasi Chin issue? Now china is issuing visas to IHK people without passport. Is it changing ally you have mentioned?Recommend

India may be facing a trade deficit with china, but it can afford that and quite easily. Can Pak afford it? India today commands the respect of the world on its own terms. She doesn’t depend on any aids or loans for its survival. India is able to take care of situations of floods or any calamities on its own strength that depending on the rest of the world.
Any freindship or relations ship has a give and take. At the moment China has started to realise that it is not very beneficial for it to continue its friendship with Pak at the same level as earlier, as economically the equations are changing now. China is there where ever it can gain some thing for itself. It is there all over the African continent, and they are not there to help African economy, (though at the moment many african countries would like to believe so) It is there for a purpose, It sees an opportunity in investing in Africa, though the returns are late.
Pak is in a way trying to hide in a pretext of freindship with China and finding some solace because it has no other freinds, and that is the truth. China on its part is playing this game with Pak by which it doesn’t lose any thing. Pak will see a big change, if its economy develops, and has some thing to offer to the rest of the world. Sooner Pak works towards this, better are her chances to move together with the rest of the world.
But for all it to happen, Pak has to come out of regional petty fighting and show that it is a world player. ( this may not happen though in any forseeable future… unfortunately)Recommend

But, I am realistic. China will not stop its military aid to Pakistan. But, it’ll be not so forthcoming to give Civilian aid. Why? Because there is no need.

Pak military is the main player, or the only important player in Pakistan. It will be satisfied with Military aid.

Pakistan is heavily dependent on Aid by West and West-influenced-IMF. After Afghan pull out, I dont see why they will continue to give aid to a country which has repeatedly double crossed it. I wonder if China will step up to the plate. Seeing the generosity of the Chinese during the recent floods, I dont think they will step up.

The reason for this is, Pakistan is too close. Its a black-hole for aid! And, it is right next to China. Every time there is crisis the Pakistani leaders can rush next door demanding/begging for aid. China will keep the standards as low as possible.Recommend

@Turth
Have courage to reveal your true ID. If you will try to teach others TRUTH with fake ID You think anyone care to listen?

You basic argument , starting with comparasion of India with Pakistan, is fundamentally flawed argument .Have you ever known your population size and you are comparing it with Pakistan? There is 1 to 8 ratio. If You want to compare yourself, go compare with your size of neighbor which is China. You don’t do that because it gives you inferiority complex. Is this the reason that you show up on this forum to tell us that World is respecting India? Oh, really? Is it really doing that? Well, then Good for you. We don’t need to know. Or let’s say, we are not interested? It’s your choice whichever answer you take.

China is our friend and we are their friend. And India is not our friend. It is that simple. Can you change it? I don’t think so. I believe that our interests are more with China than India. We are not interested doing trade with India either. This position will remain until all security and Poilitical issues are settled to our satisfaction. Until then no one will favor trade with India.

Quote” China , on the other hand playing game with PAK” And May I ask what India is doing? Training Mukti Bahni or BLA? Killing Innocent kashmiris for the last 63 years? Planting Bombs in Pakistan relious places through RAW and blaming it on taliban?

Is China doing all of that and What have you been doing for the last 63 years? Answer is big .NO. People do not like India for all these reasons. It not Just that . There is more. Not Only that India has been doing this to Pakistan, It has been silently exterminating Muslims within India. Let me not remind you Other Minorities like Sikhs what you did to their Golden Temple. But let’s have a look at this..

Now, You got the Picture why do we not want to do trade with you or simply do not even like you? China has done none of what India has done. Therefore, China will remain a friend whereas you will not. It is this simple. Recommend

Aside for the butchering of basic economics (and running around for alliances like kids with untrustworthy entities), its simply discusting to call out China’s aid to the victims of the floods. It is unlike Chinese protocol to hand out massive aid. Aid for them to other nations means a responsible investment to the people of both nations. Chinese were first repsonders in GB, a show of hands in GB will tell you how much the people of northern Pakistan appreciate the Chinese and their professional mannerisms in responding to a calamity. It should be noted in the ‘editorial’ of what China has done, and more importantly, what is continuing to do in the aftermath of the devastating floods while others have forgot about it. Refer to the ~400 million recently aided by Mr. Wen.Recommend

Funny how I see only Pakistanis mooning and sloganeering over the China-Pak friendship – I donot see Chinese singling praises for Pakistan at the same level?

Is this a case of a one-way love?

The editorial is prescient. Pakistan will be left behind along with the likes of North Korea and Burma as China re-orients itself to global business and away from ideology-led policy posturing!Recommend

We pakistanis suufer from bi-polar syndrome! Either we are over excited with love for some person/nation/narrative or depressed and hate person/nation/narrative. China has only one friend $$$, stop dreaming about friendship higher than mountains and deeper than sea!
Look at how the chinese have invested/treated in rogue countries in Africa for its natural resources..they just paid of the warlords or the dictator and have raped the african nation/people.
I know we love to hate USA but in USA at least,some of the people and the people in government do care for the people of pakistan. As far as china is concerned they will make a deal with a devil in pakistan to safe guard their interest at the expense of pakistani Awam!!Recommend

Your assertion about the USSR is completely factually incorrect. When the Bolshevik Revolution happened reformist (modern but religious) Muslims like the Jadidis (the Central Asian version of the Yeni Osmanlilar) co-opted the establishment of the Soviet Union. Similarly in the post-World War 2 arena the traditionalist bent Ulema in the Central Asian Soviet republics also supported the existing order which is why CIA attempts to get Uzbek translated Qur’ans in Uzbekistan during the glasnost era didn’t produce any semblance of an Islamic revolution as the CIA counted on (while it also fed the Afghan Jihad).

Its shocking to see the lack of factual accuracy, limited intellect, pseudo-liberal “pearls of wisdom” and ah of course Indian hubris on Express Tribune comments. Also thank you to those who stood up for Pakistan’s friendship with China, while at times it is romanticized to extremes there is no question whatsoever about its existence, and the belittling by the editors of the Tribune merit severe reproach.

G. Khan: If India has been “exterminating” Muslims as you say, why is their population flourishing. They are 15% of India’s population today as opposed to 8% a decade ago. Please use your brain. Also, why has India had Muslim presidents? Why is the richest man in India a Muslim? Why are the most popular actors in India Muslims? Why are many of our leading sportsmen Muslims? Please don’t accuse India of anti-Muslim bias when there isn’t any.Recommend

@ Mom
Difference is obvious. China did not invade other nations to enforce its model of communism whereas Soviet Union did . They invaded eastern Europe., and many other countries Afghanistan was the last one. That’s the difference. You can live your ideals but one nation go with its military to occupy other nations and implement its kind of system then problem starts.. China did none of What Soviets did.Recommend

@Anoop: To get difference between China and India, look at that beautiful graph mentioned in your link again. Pakistan and India doesn’t have much difference of GDP as India and China have….If India wants to compete China, then why Pakistan can’t compete India?Recommend

Pakistan Has to decide, What is More Important for Pakistan, The formation of the Dream Map of Muhammad Ali Jinnah for Pakistan or the Happiness and Prosperity of those Pakistani People Living in the Current Map. You have to decide quickly keeping in mind that the”BOTH” option is not available for Pakistan. she has to Chose one Intelligently.Recommend

I am curious…since Pakistan aspires to be the guardian of the Muslim ummah the worldover, should it not question on the fact that the Han Chinese are subjugating the native Uyghur Muslim community in Xinjiang province, who are demanding freedom from the Han Chinese rule. In fact, Chinese police has been killing Muslim Uyghurs rebels there for a long time. Will Pakistan still consider China “family”? Are the majority of Pakistanis even aware of this?Recommend

imagine for a while. your engineers are working in our big companies. our professors of teaching in your technical institutes. Indians are visiting Pakistan as tourist in large number. your satellite is launched in space by our rocket. we are like America and Canada. both prosperous and strong.
Kashmir is governed by its assembly. combined military of India and Pakistan are in Kashmir. borders are irrelevant.
imagine for a while. there is no harm in imagination. change your mind my dear brothers. we are ready with open arm. i m a lecturer of English. in my school 30% students are Muslims. but there is no hatred among them. if you don’t believe just visit my face book profile. so may Muslim student you will see there. so remove hatred for Hindus from your heart. stop this hatred now or it will be too late to stop. i hope sanity will prevail on the leaders of the both sides.Recommend

@Zubair
Hahahaaaaa.. I did not think that before.. My God!!!! If you insert China into that graph…It looks so absurd to see that a nation who is continuously beating the chest for their GDP to a neighbor 8 times smaller in size… when they are compared to the neighbor equal in their own size…How rediculous they stand before it’s Northern neighbor’s GDP. Look at that beautiful Graph. Hahahahhaha…Recommend

India and China are equals when it comes to potential. China has been growing at the rate of 10+ % for the last 10 years and India at a far lesser rate of 7-8%, which is pretty awesome in itself, but not as good as China’s.

If you see the level of GDP between India and China for the 1990s then you will see the growth rate difference.

India and China are equals because both have 1 Billion population and are large countries. China started its reforms in the 70s while India’s started in the 90s. Hence, a lot of catching up to do.

Pakistan with a population of 1/7th of India and China and limited resources cannot even remotely hope to compete.

Take Defence budget for example. India spends only 2.5% of its GDP on defence, but Pakistan, just to compete with India spends around 30% of its budget on defence!

@ Anoop
That’s why we have decided to outsources some of defence to chinese , for example in Azad kashmir and other areas and also Naval base at Gwader. That will save us a lots of resources and we can grow faster. That may help us. We will just focus on building more deadly Nuclear arsenal so that any misadventure by Indians be dealt with.Recommend

Friend, with whom Pak des trade/ business is Pak’s choice, I do no think India even cares. There are many in Pak that are blinded by this obsession (may be )because of the cirmstances it finds itself in. Now how fast you can come out of that mind set is dependent soley on you. Pak has just ONE friend in this entire world. Now do you understand what the editorial is trying to say?Recommend

With whom Pak does trade is simply its own choice. I do not think India even Cares. There are many in Pak that are blinded by the kind of obsession as you. But faster you come out of this closed mindset better you can see around. Read the editorial again. Pak has Just ONE friend in this entire world. (No one knows the reality of that one as well)
Now, do you get what the editorial line is trying to say?Recommend

“We will just focus on building more deadly Nuclear arsenal so that any misadventure by Indians be dealt with.”

–> Dude, Pakistan has enough nukes to destroy India and plunge the entire region under atomic dust for a long time. The creation of more nukes just isolates Pakistan and you will become a pariah state.

By the way, India has never attacked Pakistan to occupy it. NEVER. Even in ’71, it was Pakistan which started the official war. The fact that India withdrew from Bangladesh within 1 month from Bangladesh indicates that India is a Status-Quo country. Why would it want a Territory which is unmanageable?

The most important thing for growth is stability. That is what India had right from 1947 and exactly the thing Pakistan didn’t have. No wonder the 2 countries have followed different paths.Recommend

@ sandeep+limaye
Disease of hatred has been spread by an infectious bug called Mullah on Pakistani side and a bug called Pundit on Indian side. Unfortunately this disease has affected Genetic makeup of both countries and only some miracle by Almighty God can cure this disease. Anyhow appreciate your very true desire for peace and progress on both sides of the divide.Recommend

Also check what World Bank has to say about GDP% spend on Defence and show me where does it say that Pakistan spends 30% on defence?
Want more dude?
Now even I am feeling really bad doing this to you, but you asked for it!!
Cheers :-)Recommend

Mr Whatever your name is sir after reading your article i was forced to comment seriously because i just felt like you do not like china at all or his policies towards Pakistan i mean have your forgotten the past where in several places no one was there but china was for us please don’t create hatred towards our beloved neighbor and as far as the concern about India’s Relation with china we all know how it is and if it will get better it will create peace in the reign which will be good for all of us.